The NHL's Highest-Paid Players 2018-19: Connor McDavid On Top At $19 Million

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Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Connor McDavid entered the NHL in 2015 as the first overall pick in the draft by the Edmonton Oilers. The expectations were staggering, with McDavid coined the “Next One,” in comparison to former Oiler and all-time NHL great Wayne Gretzky, known as the “Great One.”

McDavid has lived up to those lofty expectations with a trio of awards after his second season, nabbing MVP, top scorer and best player, as voted on by fellow NHL players. He was named team captain in 2016, and at 19 years old became the youngest to wear the “C.” McDavid adds a new distinction this season: The NHL’s highest-paid player for the first time.

The Oilers center does not have the NHL’s biggest salary this season (the honor belongs to John Tavares, who will make $700,000 more), but McDavid is tops if you factor in endorsement earnings. McDavid will earn $19 million this season, including an estimated $4 million off the ice.

McDavid is in the first year of the eight-year, $100 million contract extension he signed with the Oilers in 2017. His $15 million this season from the Oilers, included a $13 million “signing bonus” paid before the season started. The bonus is more than McDavid earned during his first three seasons combined ($11.3 million).

Contracts with big annual signing bonuses have become common among top players in recent years. Jamie Benn, Carey Price, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares and Jakub Voracek also inked deals with substantial signing bonuses.

There are several main advantages to this structure, according to one prominent hockey player agent. Players get most of their money upfront, instead of spread out over the entire season. In addition, contracts with big signing bonuses are deemed “buyout-proof.” The current CBA calculates buyouts—where a team cuts a player to get out from part of his contract—by using two-thirds of the remaining salary owed, not including signing bonuses. When compensation is heavily allocated towards a signing bonus, the salary cap relief is muted for a team.

The biggest reason for the signing bonus is the protection it provides the player in case of a lockout. Many NHL insiders are concerned about a work stoppage ahead of the 2020-2021 season. Expanding revenue, escrow payments and the Olympics are all issues dividing players and owners right now. Signing bonuses get paid in full, even if games are cut from the season, which would reduce base salaries.

John Tavares ranks second in earnings this season with $17.3 million, including $1.4 million from endorsements. The five-time All-Star moved north this summer after nine seasons with the New York Islanders. Tavares reportedly turned down bigger free agent deals from the Islanders and San Jose Sharks to sign a seven-year, $77 million contract with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 10 top-earning NHL players are projected to make $144 million this year, including salaries, bonuses, endorsements, memorabilia and appearances. The tally is up 8% from a year ago. McDavid, Ovechkin and Crosby are endorsement stars, but 89% of the earnings for the top 10 overall are from salaries and bonuses.

The NHL's 10 Highest-Paid Players

1. Connor McDavid

Total earnings: $19 million

Salary/bonus: $15 million

Endorsements: $4 million

McDavid’s growing endorsement portfolio includes Adidas, CIBC, BioSteel, Canadian Tire and Rogers Communications. He was also on the cover of EA Sports NHL 18 and is part of the video game maker's marketing for this year's game. McDavid’s deal with equipment supplier CCM ended at the end of last season, but the two-time All-Star continues to use the brand’s sticks, gloves and skates. Negotiations between the two parties are ongoing.

2. John Tavares

(AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Total earnings: $17.3 million

Salary/bonus: $15.9 million

Endorsements: $1.4 million

Tavares' move to the center of the hockey universe in Toronto this year should open up a myriad of endorsement opportunities, particularly if he can lead the Maple Leafs to playoff success. His current sponsors are CCM, Casper Mattress, Sport Chek and HyperIce, which is a recovery tools for athletes.

3. Carey Price

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Total earnings: $15.6 million

Salary/bonus: $15 million

Endorsements: $600,000

Serving as goalie for the Montreal Canadiens is one of the most iconic positions in all of team sports. As a six-time All-Star, Price has been up to the challenge. He has more than a half-dozen sponsors like CCM, Under Armour and Wrangler. The eight-year extension he signed with the Canadiens last summer is worth $84 million.

4. Alexander Ovechkin

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Total earnings: $14.5 million

Salary/bonus: $10 million

Endorsements: $4.5 million

Ovechkin cemented his legacy in June by leading the Washington Capitals to the first Stanley Cup title in franchise history. The Cup win has been good for Ovi's business, with several endorsement deals expected to be announced in the coming months. His current sponsors are CCM, Nike, Beats, Coca-Cola and Papa John's. Ovechkin entered a partnership with video game producer Wargaming last month, which includes Ovechkin as a playable character on its World of Warships game.

5. Sidney Crosby

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Total earnings: $14 million

Salary/bonus: $10 million

Endorsements: $4 million

Sid The Kid is still the face of the NHL in the 14th season of his illustrious pro career. He turns away most endorsement deals, but still pitches for Adidas, CCM, Tim Hortons and Gatorade. He recorded his 400th goal in February and played in 82 games last season for the first time in his career.

6. Jonathan Toews

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Total earnings: $13.7 million

Salary/bonus: $12 million

Endorsements: $1.7 million

Toews has served as captain for three Stanley Cup-winning teams in Chicago (2010, 2013, 2015). The NHL center earns seven figures annually off the ice from memorabilia and endorsement deals like Canadian Tire and Chevrolet Dealers of “Chicagoland.”

7. Jamie Benn

(AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Total earnings: $13.1 million

Salary/bonus: $13 million

Endorsements: $100,000

Benn’s contract has one more season with a $13 million cash payout before it dips to $9 million for the 2020-21 season (his salary cap number is $9.5 million each year). Benn has the fourth most points in the NHL since the start of the 2014-15 season.

8. Patrick Kane

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Total earnings: $12.4 million

Salary/bonus: $12 million

Endorsements: $350,000

In 2016, Kane became the first American player to be awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy or the Art Ross Trophy when he captured both honors given annually to the NHL’s MVP and scoring leader, respectively. Kane’s eight-year, $84 million playing contract is identical to his Blackhawks’ teammate Toews.

9. Anze Kopitar

(AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Total earnings: $12.1 million

Salary/bonus: $12 million

Endorsements: $60,000

The Slovenian center was one of the three finalists for the NHL’s MVP award last season when he became the first Los Angeles Kings player with 90 points since Wayne Gretzky during the 1993-94 season. Kopitar is in the third year of an eight-year, $80 million contract.

10. John Carlson

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Total earnings: $12.1 million

Salary/bonus: $12 million

Endorsements: $50,000

Carlson put up a career-year in the final season of his contract. He posted career-high goals and assists while helping the Capitals win their first Stanley Cup title. The Caps rewarded the defenseman with an eight-year, $64 million contract extension two weeks after the Cup win in June.